In this study, we explained the effects of compression garment and electrostimulation on athletes’ recovery period by evaluating blood lactate and isokinetic peak torque parameters. Twenty volunteers (15.55± 0.51 yr) were included to study. At recovery period, blood samples was taken for lactate values at 0th, 3rd, 5th, 15th, 30th min. The isokinetic strength test was performed on right ankle at 15th min and on the left ankle at 30th min. The same protocol was performed for compression garment on 2 weeks and for electrostimulation on third weeks and results were compared. There wasn’t any significant difference on blood lactate levels within groups. At women; there was not any significant difference on isokinetic peak torques within two groups. but at electro-stimulation usage we found significant increases on right plantar flexion (
Athletes’ health and sports performance are very important issues that have been researched nowadays. When think about individiually, it is easily understood that athletes injury prevention and sports performance development is very crucial. Researches about effective recovery methods have been doing recently.
Performance in sport is closely related with lactate metabolism and level in the blood (
In our study; our aim was to explain the effects of compression garment and electrostimulation on athletes’ recovery period by evaluating blood lactate and isokinetic peak torque parameters. We investigated the effects of compression stocking and electrostimulation on blood lactate value and isokinetic strength value during the first 30 min of recovery after 30 min of aerobic running the treadmill at anaerobic threshold heart rate of 85%.
Nine female volleyball players (age, 15.89±0.33 yr; height, 171.78±9.52 cm; weight, 60.44±4.97 kg) and 11 male basketball players (age, 15.27±0.46 yr; height, 182.55±5.75 cm; weight, 70.73±12.81 kg) totally 20 athletes (age, 15.55±0.51 years; height, 177.7±9.26 cm;, weight, 66.1±11.15 kg) were included the study. The athletes were training at least 3 yr and 8 hr a week. Inclusion criteria included normal venous capacity and no arterial disorder. None of the participants had a history of heart or circulation disorder. Before the study, each participant was informed about the purpose and risk of the study and signed an informed consent.
Methodologically, athletes were conducted two different laboratory test in the first week of laboratory visit. The first test was cardiopulmonar exercise test. It was performed for the determination of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max, mL/kg.min) and anaerobic threshold pulse. The second test was isokinetic muscle test. It is performed for determination of the triceps surae and tibialis anterior physiologic power and endurance parameters. There were at least 48 hr between two test protocol.
The athletes had breakfast 2 hr before laboratory visit. Firstly all athletes were taken detailed medical history. The heights and weights of the athletes were evaluated. During systemical physical examination, there were not any contraindication identified for cardiopulmonar exercise testing. Firstly resting heart rate and resting blood pressure was measured and recorded. Then, the athletes were conducted specific mask (Metalyzer 3B, Cortex, Leipzig, Germany) for determination of anaerobic threshold pulse and VO2 max by evaluating CO2 and O2 levels (Metasoft 3, Cortex) via V slope method. During cardiopulmonar exercise testing, all participants were monitored and electrocardiography changes and blood pressure were recorded every 3 min. The participants were run until personal exhaustion happened unless identification of any symptom or sign required to stop Bruce test protocol. In our study, during cardiopulmonar exercise test, the last 10-sec maximal average value on the peak exercise was determined VO2 max. Anaerobic threshold pulses were determined personally via V slope method. Eight-five percent of anaerobic threshold pulse was identified personally in order to make athletes exercise on the aerobic metabolism for the next experimental test protocols.
The isokinetic dynamometer test was planned as a second test for determining triceps surae and tibialis anterior physiologic power and endurance parameters. Before isokinetic testing, participiants cycled 10 min on 50–60 rpm for warming on the horizantal exercise cycle (Bike 5150R, SportsArt, Tainan, Taiwan). After warming period, the participants performed low extremity stretching exercises for 5 min. Immediately after stretching period, the isokinetic test (Cybex Extremity System) was performed for right and left ankle. The right and left triceps suare and tibialis anterior peak torque was evaluated on the 30°/sec, endurance was evaluated on the 120°/sec and physiological datas were recorded.
Sigvaris compression stocking (poliamid %64, polyester %17, elastane %19; Ganzoni & Cie AG, Galen, Switzerland) was used (20–30 mmHg).
Veinoplus Neuromuscular Stimulator was used for electrostimulation (low-frequency electrostimulation) (Ad Rem Technology, rue de Faubourg Saint Honore, Paris, France).
Experiment protocol was planned in three different sessions. The first session was designed as a control session. In the second session, experiment protocol was performed with the compression stocking. In the third session, experiment protocol was performed with the usage of electrostimulation device (low-frequency electrostimulation). Isokinetic test results for both ankle were planned as performance indicators during 15th min. and at the end of recovery period. During three sessions, the first isokinetic test was planned on the 15th min of the recovery period because the half time of the most team sport and individual sport lasts 15 min. The second isokinetic test was planned on the 30th min of the recovery period (
Athletes were exercised on treadmill on the pulse of 85% anaerobic threshold threshold value during 30 min in order to provide aerobic exhaustion. During exercise, athletes pulse value was monitored. After exercise period, athletes were sat on a chair for 30th min recovery period. During recovery period, blood samples were taken on the 0th, 3rd, 5th, 15th, 30th min from athletes’ finger and this blood samples were evaluated and results were recorded. First isokinetic test was performed to the right ankle of the athletes during the 15th min of recovery period and numeric datas were recorded. Second isokinetic test was performed to the left ankle of the athletes during the 30th min of recovery period and numeric datas were recorded.
Same protocol was applied for athletes before exercise period. After exercise period, compression stockings were worn before athletes were sat on a chair for 30th min recovery period, and same protocol applied after wearing compression stockings.
Same protocol was applied for athletes before exercise period. During recovery period, electrostimulation was applied on to the bilateral calf muscles, same protocol applied after applying electrostimulation.
The blood lactate values and isokinetic parameters during sessions, two tests were used to statistical analysis. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare two dependent variables. Mann Whitney
There was no significant difference on blood lactate levels within measurements (
At men, with compression garment measurements, there was a significant increase on LPF values compared to control measurements (
Compression stocking and electrostimulation intervention effects on force generating capacity on isokinetic device during recovery period had statistically significant compared to passive recovery. In terms of the force generating capacity, electrostimulation intervention at 15th min of recovery and wearing compression stocking at the 30th min of recovery were more statistically significant (
It was shown that there is a close relationship between lactate metabolism and exercise performance; work capacity and performance are affected negatively by increased blood lactate level (
According to the control measurements; this decrease observed on the people who are wearing compression stockings and to whom electrostimulation is applied is not statistically significant. Blood lactate values in the people wearing compression stockings were found to be higher than those to whom electrostimulation is applied. Between the 15th and the 30th min of the recovery period, while blood lactate values of the subjects wearing compression stocking and undergoing electrostimulation application tend to increase, blood lactate values of the subjects in control group tend to decrease.
When blood lactate levels of male and female athletes are evaluated together, the highest blood lactate values are observed in control measurements in the 15th min of the recovery while the lower lactate values are observed in the athletes wearing compression stockings. The lowest blood lactate values are observed in electrostimulation application. These differences are not statistically significant. After 15 min, while the blood lactate values tend to decrease in control measurements; they tend to increase in those wearing compression stockings and undergoing electrostimulation application.
To evaluate the effects of compression stockings on the changes of athletic performance indication, lower lactate and haematocrit levels were detected after exercise in those wearing compression stockings (
Among many possible effective recovery modalities, athletes also use electrostimulation application as well. There are limited studies and scientific evidence related to the effect of many physiological variables on the increase of recovery kinetic, continuance of athletic performance and the decrease of rating of perceived exertion. In the studies comparing the different postexercise recovery periods, no significant difference in lactate levels were determined (
Compression stockings used before exercise, during exercise and after exercise were showed not to have an effect on blood lactate levels and not to have developed the recovery strength in the first 30 min (
In recovery process; passive recovery, active recovery (running on 50% of aerobic capacity) and the effect of low-frequency electrostimulation were compared with each other. When knee extensor contractions with maximal voluntary were compared, it was stated that electrostimulation approach leads to a better contraction intensity, not showing a significant difference though, on the other hand, there is a need for further studies on this issue (
During recovery, when compared to control measurement, there is not any beneficial effect seen on blood lactate level within compression garment measurements and electrostimulation measurements. When compared to passive rest, compression garments and electrostimulation interventions effects on force generation capacity at recovery are statically significant. If we consider the low level of lactate at the 15th min of recovery period especially on electrostimulation group, applying electrostimulation during halftime of activities like football, basketball seems to be beneficial. There has to be more comprehensive studies needed among bigger populations to evaluate the effectiveness of compression garments and electrostimulation on athletes recovery period.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
Isokinetic test.
Blood lactat values (mmol/L)
Recovery period (min) | Control | Garment | Electrositimulation |
---|---|---|---|
0th | 3.08±1.19 | 2.70±1.03 | 3.37±1.47 |
3th | 2.10±0.49 | 3.12±1.19 | 2.33±0.75 |
5th | 1.83±0.43 | 2.68±0.89 | 1.87±0.43 |
15th | 2.37±1.88 | 2.11±0.42 | 1.94±0.47 |
30th | 2.07±0.60 | 2.39±0.67 | 2.59±0.76 |
Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.
Comparison control group with garment group in isokinetic power (n=20)
Voluntary contraction | Control | Garment | |
---|---|---|---|
RPF | |||
Peak | 120 | 127.3 | 0.017 |
%BW | 181.3 | 192.65 | 0.018 |
| |||
RDF | |||
Peak | 40.5 | 41.6 | 0.265 |
%BW | 61.15 | 63.7 | 0.184 |
| |||
LPF | |||
Peak | 122 | 128.3 | 0.009 |
%BW | 184.55 | 194.75 | 0.01 |
| |||
LDF | |||
Peak | 41.9 | 42.65 | 0.583 |
%BW | 63.65 | 65.7 | 0.216 |
RPF, right plantar flexion maximal voluntary contraction; RDF, right dorsal flexion maximal voluntary contraction; LPF, left plantar flexion maximal voluntary contraction; LDF, left dorsal flexion maximal voluntary contraction; BW, body weight.
Comparison control group with electrostimulation group in isokinetic power (n=20)
Voluntary contraction | Control | Garment | |
---|---|---|---|
RPF | |||
Peak | 120 | 135.65 | 0.001 |
%BW | 181.3 | 206.7 | <0.001 |
| |||
RDF | |||
Peak | 40.5 | 42.85 | 0.016 |
%BW | 61.15 | 65.35 | 0.004 |
| |||
LPF | |||
Peak | 122 | 136.65 | 0.001 |
%BW | 184.55 | 208.2 | 0.001 |
| |||
LDF | |||
Peak | 41.9 | 43.05 | 0.367 |
%BW | 63.65 | 65.35 | 0.391 |
RPF, right plantar flexion maximal voluntary contraction; RDF, right dorsal flexion maximal voluntary contraction; LPF, left plantar flexion maximal voluntary contraction; LDF, left dorsal flexion maximal voluntary contraction; BW, body weight.